Israeli army shells alleged Hamas sites in central Gaza Strip

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shelled an alleged Hamas military post east of the al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning.

Witnesses told Ma’an that the shelling came after several Palestinian youths managed to cross the Israeli border fence and burn Israeli military tents.

Israeli forces stationed in military towers along the border reportedly opened fire at several points east of al-Bureij.

No injuries were reported, and the Palestinian youths allegedly crossed back into the Gaza Strip unharmed.

Israeli news website Ynet quoted the Israeli army spokesperson as saying “the army had attacked the Hamas post after a number of terrorists who had crossed the border torched a military post.”

Ynet added that “the rules of engagement on the Gaza border have been stepped up in the past month and forces are permitted to open fire at Palestinians trying to vandalize military infrastructures near the fence, even if those Palestinians are unarmed.”

According to a Sunday report from the ministry of health in Gaza, 112 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since “The Great March of Return” began on March 30.

More than 13,000 people have been injured, largely with live ammunition, as they protested along the Israeli-imposed military fence in eastern Gaza, demanding their right to return to their homelands in what is no present day Israel.